Thursday, September 25, 2008

I did it. I ordered and received my new wetsuit. This was a hard decision, but a 50% deal was hard to pass up. I found my last wetsuit on ebay and paid only $50. That's right $50. I am still planning on keeping it, but its getting old and I have to keep repairing it. No fun.

Here is my new wetsuit! Oh boy. I have been to the reservoir twice now and it seems to be fine. The wetsuit is snug, and I hope I never gain too much weight. It won't fit if I gain too much weight.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I love this video. It was posted on Endurance Planet. This reminds me back when I did my first marathon. My legs burned so much and it was nearly impossible to walk. The better you train, the less you feel like this. Enjoy.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Go US Wheelchair Rugby Team!! They are now in the finals and will be playing against Team Australia for the gold. I'll keep you posted.

2008 PARALYMPIC GAMES: U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team Defeats Great Britain, 35-32, to Earn Berth in Gold Medal Game

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 15, 2008

BEIJING, China –Four years ago at the Athens Paralympics, the United States didn’t even have the opportunity to play for the gold medal. The team was upset by Canada in the semifinals and had to settle for bronze. Since that day, the U.S. has been on a mission to get back to the gold medal game and sit atop the medal podium once again. On Monday, Team USA got one step closer to its goal, defeating Great Britain, 35-32, to earn a berth in the championship game.

“We’ll definitely enjoy this win for a little bit, but it’s not over,” said U.S. head coach James Gumbert (Austin, Texas). “Our ultimate goal is to win five games. It feels great to get the fourth win under our belt, but now it’s time to refocus and get ready for the last one.”As it’s done all tournament long, the U.S. rotated an endless array of line-ups into the game to wear down the opponent and keep up its own energy and momentum. Despite the fresh bodies, the U.S. was having a difficult time putting a run on the Brits. With the U.S. and Great Britain entwined in a back and forth contest – the U.S. held just a 25-24 lead entering the fourth quarter – Gumbert said it was the contributions of two of his youngest players that helped make the difference in today’s victory.

“What Nick Springer (St. Petersburg, Fla./New York, N.Y.) and Joel Wilmoth (Hueytown, Ala.) gave us today was unbelievable. They’re the two youngest kids on the team and they came out and played like seasoned veterans. Their defensive performances were just phenomenal,” said Gumbert.

With five and a half minutes to go in the fourth, the U.S. turned the ball over on a bad pass and an ensuing Great Britain goal tied the game at 27. Seth McBride (Portland, Ore./Juneau, Alaska) quickly scored to put the U.S. back up by one and then tough defense by Bryan Kirkland (Leeds, Ala.) on the inbounds pass forced Great Britain to fumble and give the ball right back to the USA. A goal by Andy Cohn (Tempe, Ariz.) gave the U.S. the two point lead and put the British away for good.

“The USA’s biggest strength is that we’re 11 guys strong. There are 11 different starters on this team and we can confidently play any one of them at any point in the game. That helps all of us go out on the court and give it our all knowing there are seven guys on the bench that can back us up and come in fresh and ready to go,” said Springer, who had eight assisted blocks in the game.

Will Groulx (Portland, Ore.) once again led Team USA, tallying 13 goals against Great Britain. The other top scorers for the U.S. were Kirkland and Cohn who each chipped in five goals. Cohn also had seven assists.

“This is where we wanted to be. Every one of us that was on the Athens team [that lost in the semifinals four years ago] remembered what that bus ride felt like and we didn’t want to feel that again,” said Mark Zupan (Austin, Texas). “We played our butts off and it showed. But, this is just a step. We didn’t come here to play in the gold medal game. We came here to win the gold medal.”

The U.S. takes on Australia in the gold medal game on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Science & Technology of Beijing Gymnasium.

For more information, or to arrange an athlete interview, please contact Susan Katz at susan.katz@usoc.org

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Monday, September 8, 2008

I was asked to join a Team for the Tri for Your Cause Triathlon on Saturday. It was spur of the moment and I was asked just a few days before. I didn't know the team, but one of my friends Chilly does. Here are the results:

WOW!!! Very impressive. I did the run segment. I thought I was going to have the fastest run time total. I had the 3rd fastest time. Our team ended up 2nd or 3rd Overall. We finished 2nd, but the final results posted shows us 3rd.

My goal next year is to get faster on the run during Triathlons. I am great running by itself, but not in triathlons.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Today marks my 4th wedding Anniversary. Nicole and I have been married for 4 years now!! We have known each other for 10 years. We met at Show Band "band camp" at Adams State College in Alamosa, CO in 1998.